Evolving at speed: Theorizing popular music in the digital age

This article argues that the theory of cultural mobility can help explain what is taking place in the emerging digital communications environment. The theory suggests that rock music may no longer be a leading cultural product. Rather, it will become an undifferentiated digital product delivered into privileged domestic environments. Rock and popular music will be marginalized as a cultural force within the new digital culture. The corporate economy of the major record companies has been active in moving to control five key aspects of the entertainment economy's political economy in the digital age. Serious questions remain about the implications of digital technology for rock music, yet the conclusion is that the cultural world has changed forever with digital technology.